Follow all the latest live action from this afternoon’s Championship play-off final at Wembley between Derby County and Queens Park Rangers, and this evening’s Champions League final in Lisbon between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of two of the most eagerly anticipated games in the football calendar. Admittedly, I haven't owned a football calendar since I was about 12 (He was 28-years-old - Ed), but if I had one in 2014, it would have a big black circle penned around the 24th of May with the words 'Champions League final' and 'Championship play-off final' squeezed inside.

At three o'clock this afternoon, Queens Park Rangers lock horns with the Rams of Derby County at Wembley Stadium with the the final place in the 2014/15 Premier League up for grabs. If those at Loftus Road are honest, then promotion and a return to the top-flight was the very least they will have expected from this season. Until now, a sense of underachievement has engulfed their charge, but a win in front of nearly 40,000 R's fans will see the campaign concluded as an unmitigated success.

Steve McClaren, meanwhile, has his Derby County side well ahead of schedule. When the former England manager left his coaching position at today's opponents in September to take over at Pride Park, the East Midlands club were mid-table in the Championship. Eight months of scintillating, attacking football later and Derby are at Wembley following a run that has seen them win seven of their last eight games, and on the brink of an achievement which was nothing other than a dream at the season's start.

Atletico Madrid have already proved this month that dreams can come true. Their La Liga title triumph at the Nou Camp last Saturday is one of the great footballing fairytales of modern times, but even that can be eclipsed in Lisbon this evening if Diego Simeone's men add the Champions League trophy to their silverware cabinet.

However, they'll have to overcome their city rivals and a giant of the world game in Real Madrid if they are to complete an astonishing double. It's 12 years since Los Blancos titled themselves the champions of Europe, and everyone associated with the Bernabéu will know that is too long for a club of their magnitude. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos et al will be out on the Estadio da Luz pitch to put that right from 7.45pm.

Stay with us throughout the day for all the up-to-the-minute action from around Wembley and Lisbon, and if you want to have your say on either of today's momentous fixtures, then please tweet @sammydymond or email sam.dymond@gmail.com.

5/24/2014 10:22:35 AM

We'll be live in Lisbon later tonight, but first it's to Wembley for the often-cited richest fixture in football. Increasing in value every year - and that's just the price of a match ticket - the Championship play-off final is now said to be worth £120m to the victor, such is the financial reward of promotion to the Premier League.

For the fans though, it is worth so much more. This season, supporters of Derby County and Queens Park Rangers descend on North London in hope and expectation. For the Rams, it's their first trip to Wembley since 2007 when they won this fixture and promotion by beating West Bromwich Albion by a single goal. Their stint in the top-flight lasted just one disastrous season, however, and they haven't come close to clawing their way back since. Until now. They're 90 minutes, possibly 120, away from a sensational return to the elite.

Rangers know all about short spells in the Premier League. After narrowly avoiding relegation in their first season back in 2012, they plummeted back into the Championship last year amid mocking and financial concerns. A large squad, and an ever larger wage bill, made them favourites for an immediate, automatic return, but the club have had to settle for the play-offs. If their season so far has brought a tinge of disappointment, that's been outweighed by a first trip to Wembley in 28 years.

If Queens Park Rangers fans don't know their way around the national stadium, the coaches of each club this afternoon certainly do. In 2008, Harry Redknapp enjoyed perhaps his finest moment as a football manager when lifting the FA Cup as Portsmouth boss, but that same year Steve McClaren was jeered from the dugout as he failed to lead England to the European Championships following home defeat to Croatia. The Derby boss will be hoping for Wembley redemption this afternoon.

Why does it always rain on him?

5/24/2014 10:26:21 AM

Of course, at the season's start, Harry Redknapp and Steve McClaren shared a dugout, and not just as a result of a Big Ron-type mistake. The QPR gaffer brought the former England boss to Loftus Road last summer as part of his coaching staff, and his presence had an immediate effect. With McClaren alongside Redknapp, Rangers went the opening 11 games of the campaign unbeaten, keeping eight consecutive clean sheets in the process.

Following McClaren's appointment as Derby manager, QPR managed just four wins over the next 13 matches as they slipped out of the automatic promotion places to the fourth spot they would occupy at the season's end. However, those four successes did include a 2-1 victory over their former coach and his new club. What Rangers wouldn't do for more of the same today.

McClaren and Redknapp, now on opposing sides, but still sharing a technical area.

5/24/2014 10:28:52 AM

Ignoring the nonsense that is Club Wembley, a sell-out crowd is expected this afternoon after both Derby County and Queens Park Rangers shifted in excess of 37,000 tickets in double-quick-time. It seemed as though everybody wanted a piece of the action…

It's just in some cases, they wanted 84 separate pieces of the action.

5/24/2014 10:34:18 AM

Kick-off at Wembley is just a few hours away so we thought we'd take the opportunity to get the lowdown on each club by speaking to two supporters currently battling through the crowds on the motorway or, worse, the Bakerloo Line. Paul Rhodes is a season ticket holder at Pride Park while Paul McAllister has been going to Loftus Road every fortnight for 25 years (even in the close season, and despite living in Stockholm for half of his twenties). Here's what they had to say...

Has your season been a success?

Paul (Derby): “Very much so; it's been a great success. Before Steve McClaren took over we were 13th in the table. Although Nigel Clough did a great job, McClaren has been able to take us that step further. A win this afternoon will cap it all wonderfully.”

Paul (QPR): “It depends how you look at it. After last season's debacle there was always the worry that we could follow Wolves to consecutive relegations. Yet Redknapp did well to ship out a lot of the dross and we made a very encouraging start. How much of that good start was down to the coaching of Steve McClaren is hard to say, but it's surely no coincidence that after his departure for Derby our form tailed off drastically. Looking back at the season as a whole I find it hard not to be disappointed, particularly when you consider the resources at our disposal. Redknapp will point to long term injuries to key players (Austin, Simpson, Phillips, Faurlin) but given the embarrassment of riches within the squad we should have done much better. When you consider that only a decade ago we close to going into administration and collecting money in buckets outside Loftus Road to sign players it seems churlish to complain, but it's hard to escape the feeling that this has been a hugely underwhelming season.”

What do you make of the play-offs?

Paul (Derby): “The play-offs are a great experience for any fan, especially if you win! The last time we were in the play-off finals was 2007 when Stephen Pearson’s goal saw us beat West Bromwich Albion to win promotion. It was made all the more fantastic as we were the underdogs. We’ve experienced the flip side too when losing to Leicester in 1994; it was a long journey home.”

Paul (QPR): “I'm a huge fan. QPR have only been involved in two play off campaigns - this season included - but I watch them every year regardless and they're often the highlight of the campaign (even if Anthony Knockaert may disagree). If you speak to QPR fans the vast majority will point to 2003 Second Division semi-final second leg game against Oldham as the best atmosphere ever experienced at Loftus Road, although the less said about the extra-time defeat in the final to Cardiff (in Cardiff) the better.”

We seem to have developed a knack of scoring late goals so our best hope is probably for it to be 0-0 going in to the last 20 minutes and hope Charlie Austin saves us once again.

How do you expect your team to approach today’s game?

Paul (Derby): “I'm sure that we will approach this game in the same way that we have been approaching all of our recent games and that is to attack. All of our players, including the back four, can push forward very quickly. It seems that for every two goals that the opposition score, we will score three or more!”

Paul (QPR): “I'd love us to attack Derby as I think they're vulnerable at the back, but no doubt Redknapp will continue as he has done all season and play an extremely cautious game. On numerous occasions this season we've given the impression that we think we can win games by passing the ball slowly and aimlessly back and forth along the back four. I expect us to sit back, try and soak up pressure and keep it tight until at least half time. I fear Derby will come out of the blocks fast and race into an early and insurmountable lead - we have a horrible tendency to start games appallingly. If we can avoid that then I fancy our chances. We seem to have developed a knack of scoring late goals so our best hope is probably for it to be 0-0 going in to the last 20 minutes and hope Charlie Austin saves us once again.”

Charlie Austin has bagged 19 league goals for QPR despite missing much of the season.

Who can be your match winner?

Paul (Derby): “Our match winner has to be Chris Martin. He's scored over 25 goals for us this season, after being signed on a free transfer from Norwich last year; they must be kicking themselves! (Not with goal machines Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper in their ranks – SD). The last Derby player to score over 25 goals in a single season was Bobby Davison, and that was over thirty years ago! Another to watch is Craig Bryson, who scored a hat-trick when we thumped Forest back in March.”

Paul (QPR): “If you look through the squad you could pick out several, including Ravel Morrison and Niko Kranjcar, but the reality is we're totally reliant on Charlie Austin's goals.”

Who will be playing in the Premier League next season, regardless of today’s result?

Paul (Derby): “George Thorne - on loan from West Brom - is very comfortable with the ball and helps the midfield tick over. Bryson has plenty of energy and plays in a similar style to Steven Gerrard (pre-Demba Ba debacle); he's a box-to-box player who bags plenty of goals. Much talked about this season is Will Hughes, who has been named the Championship Young Player of the Year. He would be suited to the Premier League as he will be able to have more time on the ball.His goal against Brighton says it all – if Messi had scored it, people would be talking about it for years to come.”

Paul (QPR): “Ravel Morrison for sure, although perhaps not at West Ham if the rumours about his bust up with Sam Allardyce are true. Austin will definitely attract interest although I'd hope that we can hang on to him for one more season if we don't go up.”

If the occasion doesn't get to our young players then, on a big pitch, Derby's flowing, attacking football could be too much for some of QPR’s ageing defenders.

Who do you fear in the opposition line-up?

Paul (Derby): “It has to be Joey Barton. When I saw him at Loftus Road earlier this season, he ran their midfield, spraying the ball around with ease and creating most of their chances. Ravel Morrison could also be a big threat with his pace.”

Paul (QPR): “The midfield. Pace, energy, youth - everything lacking from our own midfield. I've been really impressed with Craig Bryson this season, and the fact that Will Hughes could again find himself on the bench speaks volumes. Chris Martin is always a handful and will cause our defence problems.”

Finally, what's the score going to be?

Paul (Derby): “If the occasion doesn't get to our young players then, on a big pitch, Derby's flowing, attacking football could be too much for some of QPR’s ageing defenders; Clint Hill and Richard Dunne, especially, will have a really tough job on their hands. I’m going for a 2-0 Derby win! Come on you Rams!”

Paul (QPR): “It's hard to look past a Derby win, perhaps 3-1. But if we can keep it tight until half time, then who knows…”

Chris Martin's 22 league goals for Derby were seen as surplus to Norwich's requirements.

5/24/2014 10:46:13 AM

Queens Park Rangers have notoriously wasted money on some high-profile transfers these past few seasons, but these purchases may be the most questionable of the lot...

The teams are in from Wembley Stadium.Steve McClaren sticks with the same side that swotted Brighton aside in the second leg of their play-off semi-final which means starlet Will Hughes keeps his place in midfield over player of the season Craig Bryson, who has been struggling with a back problem. Queens Park Rangers are also unchanged from their second leg victory against Wigan so there is no starting spot for the on-loan Ravel Morrison. Instead, Kevin Doyle partners the in-form Charlie Austin in attack.

As part of their build-up to the Championship play-off final, Sky Sports are running a lovely feature on Charlie Austin, highlighting his rise from bricklayer through non-league football to the brink of the top-flight. If anybody is in doubt as to whether the QPR striker can make it at the highest level, then be aware of his words when he speaks of how he considered quitting the game early in his career; "I just wanted to get up and go to work on a Saturday morning for five and a half hours, and come home and watch Gillette Soccer Saturday."

Yes. He is ready for the Barclays Premier League.

Charlie Austin: A sponsor's dream.

5/24/2014 1:46:16 PM

Steve McClaren and Harry Redknapp lead their sides out to a raucous Wembley stadium. The good news for the Derby boss is his side have emerged from the so-called lucky dressing room, frequented by Arsenal last weekend during the FA Cup final. The bad news is it's absolutely bucketing down with rain. Still, there's not a umbrella in sight...

Kick-off: Derby County get the 2014 Championship play-off final underway, kicking from left to right. There's a deafening roar from a close to full house, but the inexplicably situated television cameras inside the national stadium means the game begins with the viewer getting an eyeful of empty Club Wembley seats.

Queens Park Rangers' huge support, flags and all, get behind their side at kick-off.

5/24/2014 2:02:43 PM

3 minutes: There's no umbrella in Steve McClaren's hand at Wembley this time, but the Derby manager is grasping a mobile phone to his ear with a confused look on his face as he attempts to communicate with the bench from his viewpoint in the stand. If I struggle to get a signal inside Partick Thistle's Firhill Stadium when there's just a few thousand present, then there's no way he's getting through to anybody this afternoon, 4G or no 4G.

5/24/2014 2:05:51 PM

5 minutes: Derby have the game's first sight of goal after they win a free-kick five yards outside the Queens Park Rangers penalty area, but Johnny Russell's drilled effort is blocked by Niko Kranjcar in the wall.

5/24/2014 2:08:09 PM

8 minutes: Now it's QPR's turn to go forward, attacking the end frequented by Derby's supporters. Junior Hoilett wins a corner on the right, but Joey Barton's delivery isn't met fully by the head of a bellyflopping Richard Dunne. Moments later, Charlie Austin lets fly from distance, but his shot is high and wide of the goal. He can't blame a bobble for that one.

5/24/2014 2:10:13 PM

13 minutes: Steve McClaren's side haven't been able to impose their quick attacking game on Queens Park Rangers in the opening exchanges with Harry Redknapp's team defending stoically in two banks of four. When the Rams have threatened down the left-hand side, their attempted crosses into the box have been too long to either tempt forward Jamie Ward or trouble goalkeeper Rob Green.

5/24/2014 2:16:28 PM

16 minutes: Still no clearcut chances have presented themselves, but it's QPR's turn to win a free-kick in a dangerous position 25 yards from goal. Like Russell before him, however, Joey Barton's dead-ball strike ricochets off the defensive wall and away to safety. It's tight. It's tense.

5/24/2014 2:18:47 PM

19 minutes: "Now then, is that a head injury?" says Sky Sports co-commentator Don Goodman in surprise as Lee Mason allows play to continue with George Thorne on the turf, holding his wrist. It's not, but Goodman's confusion is equalled by the referee's as he suddenly decides to halt the action and allow Thorne treatment. After a short spell with the physio, the on-loan West Brom midfielder rejoins the action.

5/24/2014 2:22:27 PM

23 minutes: Thorne is straight back in the thick of things as he overpowers Austin to win the ball back and drive Derby forward. The move eventually ends with another overhit cross, this time from Andre Wisdom on the right, but it's boos from the Rangers fans rather than applause from Derby's than signal the play's conclusion, such is their belief that Thorne's original challenge warranted a free-kick.

5/24/2014 2:26:15 PM

25 minutes: Finally a cross meets its intended target! Jamie Ward makes space for himself on the left, and delivers the ball towards the back post where Craig Forsyth is arriving. The Scottish defender is only able to get under the ball though, and puts his header high over Rob Green's crossbar. It's better from the Rams.

5/24/2014 2:28:03 PM

27 minutes: DERBY WANT A PENALTY! Will Hughes scampers into the box on the left-hand side after being set free by Jeff Hendrick, and attempts a Cruyff turn to escape the close attention of Richard Dunne. The QPR defender hangs out a leg, and the Derby youngster goes crashing theatrically to the turf. Lee Mason couldn't be better positioned, and after a long, dramatic stare at the stricken midfielder, waves play on. The correct decision.

31 minutes: Normal service is resumed as Hoilett spoons a cross behind for a goalkick. Meanwhile, there's an injury worry for Niko Kranjcar, who has pulled up in the middle of the pitch, nursing his hamstring. The Croatian midfielder will play no further part in proceedings and will be replaced, not by emergency loannee Ravel Morrison, but Armand Traore.

Once play resumes, Hughes nearly caps a sensational run by Russell, but his first time effort from 20 yards soars over the crossbar.

Junior Hoilett prepares one of his trademark overhit crosses.

5/24/2014 2:35:09 PM

37 minutes: There's been few big moments in this first half, but there has been some big performances, not least from George Thorne, who is dominating the midfield almost single-handedly. For QPR, Junior Hoilett is combining his usual mix of creativity and chaos, but has twice been denied at vital moments by imperious defending from Jake Buxton.

5/24/2014 2:39:50 PM

41 minutes: Rob Green has scampered down to his left to keep QPR on level terms before the break! Nedum Onuoha clattered into Jamie Ward 35 yards from goal, and when the Derby striker picked himself up to swing the resulting free-kick into the box, it was missed by everyone. Everyone, however, didn't include the QPR goalkeeper, who flung himself to the floor to turn the ball around the post, before following his save up by plucking the subsequent corner from the air with ease. Get him on the plane.

44 minutes: QPR launch a blistering counter-attack through Clint Hill...hang on, that can't be right...where's my notes? No, that's right. QPR launch a blistering counter-attack through Clint Hill, who dispossesses Thorne and runs 30 yards before feeding Traore. The substitute doesn't do his captain's effort justice, however, screwing his shot from the edge of the box well wide of the goal.

5/24/2014 2:46:23 PM

45 minutes: The announcement of one minute of stoppage time is acknowledged by a fantastic sliding challenge by Thorne on a marauding Kevin Doyle. The midfielder timed his tackle from behind brilliantly just outside his own penalty area as the Irishman prepared to take aim. It's likely to be the last slice of action of the first half.

5/24/2014 2:47:13 PM

Half-time - Derby 0 QPR 0:

5/24/2014 2:47:21 PM

Pronunciation-hilarity inside the Sky Sports studio at half-time as Simon Thomas quizzes Uwe Rosler, Sean Dyche and Peter Beagrie as to who has had the better of the first half. While the Wigan manager coos his way through the Qs in Queens Park Rangers, Beagrie goes off in search off a throat sweet for the Burnley boss.

The statistics prove that Rangers have done well to stifle Derby's attacking play, but they haven't proved much of a goal threat themselves.

46 minutes: QPR, in their smart red and black away strip, get the second half going as they attack their huge support, but any enthusiasm that grew during the break is rapidly distinguished as Barton loops a hopeless punt upfield to nobody. You already get the impression that one moment of ingenuity will be the difference this afternoon.

5/24/2014 3:04:54 PM

49 minutes: Sunshine suddenly floods the Wembley pitch, and after the downpour of earlier today that left the first half as an almost literal damp squib, the setting has now become one befitting a play-off final in May. Now all we need is brighter play from both sides.

5/24/2014 3:08:04 PM

51 minutes: Richard Dunne is doing his best to keep Derby at bay early in this second half, but his fellow defenders aren't helping him out by following suit. The Rangers centre-back dominates the air to clear three consecutive corners, but slices and misplaced headers from Danny Simpson and Clint Hill mean the West London club are constantly on the back-foot. Finally, a punted clearance from Dunne does the job.

5/24/2014 3:11:00 PM

55 minutes: QPR have to deal with another corner kick as Derby continue to dominate this second half. It's pressure that is going to force Harry Redknapp into an early switch, and Bobby Zamora is being prepared. The former Fulham striker has made a recent habit of making an impression off the bench.

5/24/2014 3:13:59 PM

57 minutes: A chance goes begging for Charlie Austin! Is that another Wembley nightmare for the QPR striker?! Back in 2010, Austin, then of Swindon, missed a sitter in a play-off final when a bobble deceived him as he bore down on the Millwall goal. It wasn't as clearcut a chance this time around, but you would have backed Austin to score in his current form. Doyle, playing his last part of the afternoon, knocked the ball out wide to Traore on the left, and when the substitute sent a low cross into the box, Austin arrived on the penalty spot, but steered his first time side-foot shot agonisingly wide of Lee Grant's far right post.

5/24/2014 3:16:15 PM

59 minutes: RED CARD!

Queens Park Rangers are down to ten men because Gary O'Neil has been sent off for a professional foul! There appeared no danger as Rangers held possession in defence, but when Nedum Onuoha lost the ball to Will Hughes, that changed instantly. Hughes quickly played in Johnny Russell, who cleverly flicked the ball around Richard Dunne to put himself through on goal. As the Scot prepared to take aim, O'Neil slid in from behind and cynically brought down the Derby man just outside the box. With Rams fans baying for a sending off, referee Lee Mason consulted with his assistant before producing a red card for the QPR midfielder, who becomes only the fourth player to have been dismissed in a Championship play-off final.

QPR's Gary O'Neil departs having been sent off for a professional foul.

5/24/2014 3:17:17 PM

66 minutes: Harry Redknapp has reshuffled his pack after the red card with his third and final substitution as Karl Henry comes on to replace Clint Hill. The former Wolves man will certainly add bite and battle to protect the QPR backline.

Meanwhile, Derby have made a midfield change of their own with their player of the season, Craig Bryson, on for Will Hughes.

5/24/2014 3:26:01 PM

69 minutes: Craig Bryson has bagged 16 goals from midfield this season, and it's easy to see why. Within minutes of his introduction, the Scotsman managed to sneak in behind the QPR defence and latch on to Jeff Hendrick's flicked pass. However, his drilled shot was kept out at the near post by Rob Green.

Moments later, Green was called into action at his near post again as he combined with the woodwork to block Chris Martin's first time snapshot.

Rob Green shows safe hands as Derby continue to pressurise.

5/24/2014 3:29:29 PM

75 minutes: The game is being played entirely inside the QPR half now as Derby look to snatch a winner before extra-time. Craig Bryson combines with another substitute, Simon Dawkins, inside the box, and the latter's shot from close range is palmed away by Rob Green. The rebound falls to Jamie Ward but his chest down and volley is turned behind by own teammate, Chris Martin, and QPR survive again.

5/24/2014 3:34:21 PM

78 minutes: The game is being played entirely inside the QPR penalty area now as Derby look to snatch a winner before extra-time. The latest pressure brings a 12th corner for the Rams, compared to Rangers' one, but the Londoners' defence, marshalled superbly by Richard Dunne continues to stand firm.

5/24/2014 3:36:53 PM

81 minutes: QPR's two banks of four has now become a single bank of nine. It's doing the job in stifling Derby's attack, but it means they have no outlet for when they do win possession. Can they last another nine minutes defending in this manner? Can they last another 30 minutes of extra-time defending in this manner?

5/24/2014 3:40:23 PM

83 minutes: Simon Dawkins tries to wriggle free inside the QPR penalty area, but is tackled by Charlie Austin, highlighting just how deep Harry Redknapp's forwards have dropped in a bid to help out their depleted defence. Both sets of fans, who looked collectively nervous at the start, appear terrified wrecks at this moment.

5/24/2014 3:43:17 PM

87 minutes: Unable to find a way through the Rangers blockade, Jeff Hendrick decides to take matters into his own hands with an effort from long range. The midfielder's drilled effort takes a deflection, and there's a momentary gasp of suspense, before the ball falls into the grateful hands of Rob Green.

5/24/2014 3:45:28 PM

89 minutes: QPR enjoy (enjoy isn't the right word, but it will have to suffice) a short spell of attacking possession as they look to unleash the ultimate sucker-punch on Derby and the Championship season. After Bobby Zamora loses out, Joey Barton takes aim from distance and fires wide from long range. They couldn't, could they?

5/24/2014 3:47:44 PM

90 minutes: GOAL! DERBY 0 QPR 1:

THEY COULD!! THEY HAVE!! BOBBY ZAMORA HAS SCORED AND SURELY WON PROMOTION FOR QPR!! In a rare Rangers break upfield that was more to alleviate pressure than chase a winner, Junior Hoilett toyed with the ball out on the right wing before cutting inside and on to the touchline. He could only send over a tired low cross into the box straight to the feet of Richard Keogh, but the Derby captain had tired legs of his own. Perhaps it was having so little to do in this second half, but the defender was only able knock the ball straight into the path of Bobby Zamora. The substitute only needs one sight of goal to make his mark in a play-off final, and the big striker took one swing with his left foot and the ball swerved into the far left-hand corner past the desperate hand of Lee Grant. QPR's first shot on target - their only shot on target - of the afternoon could be one of the most important shots in the history of the club. Astonishing!

Bobby Zamora wins Queens Park Rangers promotion in injury time.

5/24/2014 3:48:00 PM

90+1 minutes: There will be three minutes of injury time for Derby to find the equaliser that will prolong their season by another half hour, but in truth their players look absolutely drained by what has just occurred.

5/24/2014 3:49:22 PM

90+3 minutes: Derby have a corner right at the death. This is their last chance - their only chance - to find an equaliser. Everybody is up for it, including goalkeeper Lee Grant. The ball eventually falls to Richard Keogh, but the Derby captain is too eager to make amends for his crucial error and swipes a shot high and wide of the goal. Queens Park Rangers are seconds away from an immediate return to the Premier League.